Love in the First Degree
Encyclopedia
"Love in the First Degree" is a song written and recorded by English girl group
Bananarama
. It is included on their fourth studio album Wow! and was released as its second single except in the U.S., where it was the album's third single (following "I Can't Help It
"). The track was co-written and produced by the Stock Aitken Waterman
(SAW) trio.
The song is an uptempo pop tune similar to many hits produced by SAW during this time period. The surreal lyrics, composed by Siobhan Fahey
and built upon by SAW and Bananarama members Sara Dallin
and Keren Woodward
, describes a dream in which they find themselves being tried in court for love. The musical structure could be compared to that of Pachelbel's Canon.
"Love in the First Degree" is Bananarama's biggest-selling single in their native UK. It holds a three-way tie for their highest UK singles chart
placing (number three). The single also became a top-ten success in Australia and earned a top-twenty placing in New Zealand. In the United States the song just missed the top-forty, but was a top-ten club hit. The B-side was Mr. Sleaze in which Bananarama member Sara Dallin
not only sang on that track but also played bass guitar like she did on "Love in the First Degree".
As one of their final performances with Fahey, the group performed the song at the BRIT Awards
with a large entourage of male dancers dressed only in black bikini briefs. The song was nominated for best British single at the BRIT Awards
, but lost to Rick Astley
's "Never Gonna Give You Up
", also produced by Stock Aitken Waterman.
By the time "Love in the First Degree" was released in the United States, Fahey had already announced her departure from Bananarama.
In the late 80s the song was covered by a Japanese idol trio Lemon Angel and sung by Tomo Sakurai
as one of the main theme-tunes for their titular anime, which appeared under a late night risque slot known more generally as Late night anime
.
In 2007, a mash-up of the song with Basement Jaxx
's 2005 hit "Oh My Gosh
" became popular on the internet.
, directed by Andy Morahan, featured Bananarama (including a pregnant Fahey) performing the song in a jail cell, dressed in prison uniforms, as several male dancers perform around them. The imagery plays off of Elvis Presley
's 1957 movie Jailhouse Rock
.
On Bananarama's The Greatest Hits Collection
video compilation, the videoclip for Love In The First Degree is intercut with the live performance of the song at the 1988 BPI awards, which was Siobhan Fahey's last performance with the group before her departure.
UK 12" single NANX 14
2nd 12" single NANXR 14 / German 12" single 887 222-1
U.S. 12" single
Girl group
A girl group is a popular music act featuring several young female singers who generally harmonise together.Girl groups emerged in the late 1950s as groups of young singers teamed up with behind-the-scenes songwriters and music producers to create hit singles, often featuring glossy production...
Bananarama
Bananarama
Bananarama are an English female pop duo who have had success on the pop and dance charts since 1982. Rather than relying on a two part harmony, the duo generally sings in unison, as do their background vocalists. Although there have been line-up changes, the group enjoyed their most popular...
. It is included on their fourth studio album Wow! and was released as its second single except in the U.S., where it was the album's third single (following "I Can't Help It
I Can't Help It
"I Can't Help It" is a song written and recorded by English girl group Bananarama. It is included on their fourth studio album Wow! and was released as its third single except in the U.S., where it was the album's second single and Australia, where it was the album's fourth single...
"). The track was co-written and produced by the Stock Aitken Waterman
Stock Aitken Waterman
Stock Aitken Waterman, sometimes known as SAW, were a UK songwriting and record producing trio consisting of Mike Stock, Matt Aitken and Pete Waterman. They had great success during the mid to late 1980s and early 1990s...
(SAW) trio.
The song is an uptempo pop tune similar to many hits produced by SAW during this time period. The surreal lyrics, composed by Siobhan Fahey
Siobhan Fahey
Siobhan Fahey is an Irish musician and founding member of the 1980s British girl group Bananarama, and later formed the BRIT Award and Ivor Novello award winning musical outfit Shakespears Sister.-Career:Fahey was born the eldest of three daughters to Helen and...
and built upon by SAW and Bananarama members Sara Dallin
Sara Dallin
Sara Elizabeth Dallin is an English musician mostly noted for her membership of the group Bananarama, which she co-founded with her childhood friend Keren Woodward.Dallin was born in Bristol, England...
and Keren Woodward
Keren Woodward
Keren Woodward is an English pop singer and songwriter of British girl group Bananarama, co-founded by her long time school friend Sara Dallin and Siobhan Fahey....
, describes a dream in which they find themselves being tried in court for love. The musical structure could be compared to that of Pachelbel's Canon.
"Love in the First Degree" is Bananarama's biggest-selling single in their native UK. It holds a three-way tie for their highest UK singles chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
placing (number three). The single also became a top-ten success in Australia and earned a top-twenty placing in New Zealand. In the United States the song just missed the top-forty, but was a top-ten club hit. The B-side was Mr. Sleaze in which Bananarama member Sara Dallin
Sara Dallin
Sara Elizabeth Dallin is an English musician mostly noted for her membership of the group Bananarama, which she co-founded with her childhood friend Keren Woodward.Dallin was born in Bristol, England...
not only sang on that track but also played bass guitar like she did on "Love in the First Degree".
As one of their final performances with Fahey, the group performed the song at the BRIT Awards
Brit Awards
The Brit Awards are the British Phonographic Industry's annual pop music awards. The name was originally a shortened form of "British", "Britain" or "Britannia", but subsequently became a backronym for British Record Industry Trust...
with a large entourage of male dancers dressed only in black bikini briefs. The song was nominated for best British single at the BRIT Awards
Brit Awards
The Brit Awards are the British Phonographic Industry's annual pop music awards. The name was originally a shortened form of "British", "Britain" or "Britannia", but subsequently became a backronym for British Record Industry Trust...
, but lost to Rick Astley
Rick Astley
Richard Paul "Rick" Astley is an English singer-songwriter, musician, and radio personality. He is known for his 1987 song, "Never Gonna Give You Up", which was a #1 hit single in 25 countries...
's "Never Gonna Give You Up
Never Gonna Give You Up
A group of London dance producers, called The Rickrollerz made a house music cover version of "Never Gonna Give You Up" on that day, and in honor of that event....
", also produced by Stock Aitken Waterman.
By the time "Love in the First Degree" was released in the United States, Fahey had already announced her departure from Bananarama.
In the late 80s the song was covered by a Japanese idol trio Lemon Angel and sung by Tomo Sakurai
Tomo Sakurai
is a Japanese voice actress and a former idol singer. Sakurai is a member of I'm Enterprise.- Debut :At the age of 14, Sakurai debuted as a sub-member for "KISS Fairlies," a group that worked as campaign girls for KIJIMA Motorcycle Racing Team...
as one of the main theme-tunes for their titular anime, which appeared under a late night risque slot known more generally as Late night anime
Late night anime
is a term used in Japan to denote anime television series broadcast late at night and/or in the early morning, usually between 23.00 and 4.00. Sometimes the scheduled times of such broadcasts are advertised in a format using an hour greater than 24 is a term used in Japan to denote anime...
.
In 2007, a mash-up of the song with Basement Jaxx
Basement Jaxx
Basement Jaxx are a British electronic dance music duo from London, England consisting of Felix Buxton born 1971 and Simon Ratcliffe born 1 December 1969. They first rose to popularity in the late 1990s...
's 2005 hit "Oh My Gosh
Oh My Gosh
"Oh My Gosh" is a song by British electronic dance music duo Basement Jaxx. It was released in 2005 as a single from the band's greatest hits album, The Singles. The song peaked in the UK charts at number eight. The female vocals on the track were performed by Vula Malinga...
" became popular on the internet.
Music video
The music videoMusic video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
, directed by Andy Morahan, featured Bananarama (including a pregnant Fahey) performing the song in a jail cell, dressed in prison uniforms, as several male dancers perform around them. The imagery plays off of Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
's 1957 movie Jailhouse Rock
Jailhouse Rock (1957 film)
Jailhouse Rock is an American musical film directed by Richard Thorpe for MGM. The film stars Elvis Presley in his third film and MGM debut, Judy Tyler, and Mickey Shaughnessy....
.
On Bananarama's The Greatest Hits Collection
The Greatest Hits Collection (video)
The Greatest Hits Collection is a Bananarama videos compilation released by London Records in 1988, as a companion video to their Greatest Hits album...
video compilation, the videoclip for Love In The First Degree is intercut with the live performance of the song at the 1988 BPI awards, which was Siobhan Fahey's last performance with the group before her departure.
Track Listings
7" single NANA14- "Love in the First Degree" (Album Version) 3:33
- "Mr. Sleaze" 4:45
UK 12" single NANX 14
- "Love in the First Degree" (Jailer's Mix) 6:03
- Available on the CD album "The Greatest Remixes Collection".
- "Love in the First Degree" (Escapee Instrumental) 3:33
- "Mr. Sleaze" (Single Version) 4:45
2nd 12" single NANXR 14 / German 12" single 887 222-1
- "Love in the First Degree" (Eurobeat Style) 7:15
- Available on the CD album "Greatest Hits CollectionGreatest Hits Collection (Bananarama album)The Greatest Hits Collection is a compilation album released by Bananarama which features their single releases and greatest hits. It was issued by London Records in 1988, shortly after the departure of group member Siobhan Fahey...
".
- Available on the CD album "Greatest Hits Collection
- "Mr. Sleaze" (Rare Groove Mix) 6:00
U.S. 12" single
- "Love in the First Degree" (Eurobeat Style) 7:15
- "Love in the First Degree" (7" Mix) 3:33
- "Love in the First Degree" (Jailer's Mix) 6:03
- "Ecstacy" (Wild Style) 5:35
Other Versions
- "Love in the First Degree" (House Mix) 3:33
- Available on the CD single "I Want You BackI Want You Back"I Want You Back" was released in 1969 and in early 1970s became a number-one hit single recorded by The Jackson 5 for the Motown label. The song, along with a b-side cover of Smokey Robinson & the Miracles' "Who's Lovin' You", was the only single from the first Jackson 5 album, Diana Ross Presents...
".
- Available on the CD single "I Want You Back
Personnel
Bananarama- Sara DallinSara DallinSara Elizabeth Dallin is an English musician mostly noted for her membership of the group Bananarama, which she co-founded with her childhood friend Keren Woodward.Dallin was born in Bristol, England...
- Vocals and bass guitar - Siobhan FaheySiobhan FaheySiobhan Fahey is an Irish musician and founding member of the 1980s British girl group Bananarama, and later formed the BRIT Award and Ivor Novello award winning musical outfit Shakespears Sister.-Career:Fahey was born the eldest of three daughters to Helen and...
- Vocals - Keren WoodwardKeren WoodwardKeren Woodward is an English pop singer and songwriter of British girl group Bananarama, co-founded by her long time school friend Sara Dallin and Siobhan Fahey....
- Vocals
Charts
| Chart (1987) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart | 3 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 48 |
| U.S. Hot Dance Club Play | 10 |
| Australia ARIA singles | 5 |
| New Zealand singles | 11 |
| Switzerland singles chart | 18 |
| Spain singles chart | 12 |
| Dutch Singles chart MegaCharts MegaCharts is responsible for the composition and exploitation of a broad collection of official charts in the Netherlands, of which the Mega Top 50 and the Mega Album Top 100 are the most known ones. Mega Charts also provides information to the Stichting Nederlandse Top 40, of which the Dutch Top... |
12 |